Herbal coloring myths. How to give your hair a red tint?

Although there are many myths regarding the effectiveness of herbal hair coloring, it has been used for centuries. Herbal hair dyes are thought to be best used for darkening hair or covering gray hair. In actuality, a variety of hues, including vivid red tones, can be produced using these natural techniques.

Beauties reds that appear healthy and natural can be achieved with plants such as beetroot, hibiscus, and henna. But a lot of people don’t know how to get the correct shade or how to steer clear of typical blunders that might produce unexpected outcomes.

Knowing what works and what doesn’t when using herbal remedies to give your hair a reddish hue is important if you’re considering doing so. Let’s examine the best methods for achieving the ideal red shade and dispel some of the myths surrounding herbal hair dyes.

Myth	Reality
Herbal coloring is less effective for red tones.	Herbal dyes like henna can create rich red shades with a natural shine.
Herbal dyes damage hair.	Natural ingredients in herbal dyes can actually strengthen and nourish hair.
Herbal colors are unpredictable.	With proper preparation and timing, you can achieve consistent red tones.
Herbal coloring fades quickly.	With proper care, herbal colors can last as long as synthetic dyes.

A little theory

Concerning henna and Basme has gathered a great deal of fascinating and educational data. I strongly advise you to check out the fantastic post-navigator written by author Kera. I’ll just quickly go over the primary characteristics again:

Henna

Dried Lawsonia inermis plant leaves are used to make the dye henna. Henna gives hair a deep crimson hue when dyed.

Basma

Dried indigofera tinctoria leaves are used to make the dye known as basma. It has been used to dye fabrics blue since ancient times. Henna coloring combined with hair dye results in a black color.

I’ve never used basma to color my hair. Its ability to give hair a smooth, mirror-like shine really appeals to me, but because I have a history with henna, I don’t have an unreasonable fear of my hair turning black after the first dyeing.

I only experimented with henna and other herbs, even non-dying ones, as henna additives. Most people do this to tamp down the redness, to avoid the henna’s reddish tint. My goal was to achieve red tones—not just red highlights in the sun—so that even indoors, there would be a distinct red and not brown.

What determines the final color of henna on hair

• Native hair color

Henna takes on shades of chestnut and chocolate on darker hair. Henna layers and darkens over time, revealing various shades of red, including maroon, mahogany, burgundy, and shining juicy cherry. Henna will show through with purple highlights on a very dark base, which is a stylish shade of "black tulip."

The final shade is determined by the type and condition of the hair in addition to its natural color. The difference in shades between the dyed and undyed sections of the hair will be noticeable if it has previously been dyed with a chemical dye.

• Henna grade

The quality of the henna has an impact as well; pigment-rich henna for mehndi will color brighter and build up more quickly.

• Other factors

• Adding other herbs to henna

• Lighting

This is a very important point in my opinion. Owners of light brown hair are often let down by the bright sunny red, as they end up with a rather dark chestnut shade. In addition, many find the inevitable reddish tint that results from henna accumulation to be repulsive.

My long-standing henna is bright, with a definite pink tint in the bright summer sun. The hue appears considerably darker indoors, a quintessential henna burgundy. Raspberry highlights show in the window’s softer natural light. Indeed, and in artificial light, the hue turns into a deep, bitter chocolate.

Keep in mind that there is a minute’s difference between the first and second photos. Really, a highly intriguing quality of henna? I can’t stop staring at these shades because they are so stunning, organic, and vibrant!

About my hair

I have dark blond hair that is roughly 5–6 UGT natural. erect, somewhat porous. The henna coloring effectively covers up the gray hair. Naturally, the subtleties of color from coloring additives will stand out more on lighter hair.

I discovered some old, natural-looking pictures in my archives:

Long before I met Hairmaniac, I started my experiments, took some time to study the problem, and came back full of fresh ideas. I have experimented with numerous dyeing techniques and recipes during this time. I’ve tried henna from several suppliers, adjusted the herbal mixture’s holding time, and added extra ingredients. It turned out that the experiment took a very long time.

In actuality, I can achieve the same shade from any henna, regardless of the brand or method of preparation, by using multiple dyeings and layering of pigment. Naturally, the holding time has an impact on the shade, but even with a short holding time between dyeings, the color eventually evens out and darkens to my favorite shade of chestnut. I usually leave the mixture in my hair for one to one and a half hours. Here are some of my favorite recipes.

Naturally, using professional dyes to achieve a red color or using henna with a colorant is far simpler. In the end, I did exactly that, but that’s a different story.

However, I was experimenting with natural ingredients at the time and trying to get my hair to look red. To be completely honest, I was terrified of damaging my hair back then and lacked sufficient knowledge about hair care.

From theory to practice

I just never thought to take pictures of my hair before, so there aren’t as many as I would have liked. Over time, some of the pictures vanished. Another reason is that the same henna appears differently on hair and is beloved for its ability to reveal hundreds of shades and color nuances in varying lighting. It is also very challenging to photograph these nuances using a phone camera.

Over time I stopped using herbal masks and dyeing because of the drying effect. Furthermore, I didn’t notice any shade changes from dyeing to dyeing; the color has already built up and fixed. As a result, the majority of studies focus on the growing hair’s root zone, which is unaffected by henna.

Furthermore, I wanted to find out if these herbs stain or if the shade is just invisible on dark hair. Since it’s Easter eve, I thought it would be appropriate to test it on white eggshells.

After this lengthy introduction, let’s get to the point that matters most. Are herbs able to redden light brown hair?

Hibiscus

The biggest myth and the most widely used remedy. Given the deep ruby color of hibiscus infusion, it is most likely advised. Do you think hair will become the same color after hibiscus plants?

About hibiscus

Vitamins A, B, C, P, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and iron are all abundant in hibiscus flowers. There are two organic acids in the mixture: citric and gamma-linoleic. The shine and smoothness of hair are attributed to acids.

Because it contains organic acids, hibiscus behaves more gently than vinegars like lemon or apple cider; it doesn’t dry out or cause brittleness. Hair remains clean and fresh for longer.

How to use

There are two ways to use it; I tried them both, and the simplicity of use is the only distinction.

• In powder form

• In the form of a decoction

Results

Hues of red in hair with hibiscus become unmanageable.

When hibiscus powder is added to henna dye, the color of the roots is the same as when henna dye is applied normally without any additional ingredients.

Why is adding hibiscus so steadfastly advised? It all comes down to the acidic atmosphere it produces. You are aware that henna releases pigment most actively in an acidic environment, which explains why the color on the hair is darker and more saturated. Additionally, it builds up more quickly, giving the hair those intensely red highlights. That same familiar, hated by many shade ripe cherries of borscht.

Although the broth and the flowers are both red, hibiscus dyes well, yielding shades ranging from grayish-blue to purple.

Get ready to surprise your kids with "dragon eggs"!

There are a lot of myths surrounding herbal hair coloring, particularly when it comes to getting bright colors like red. Contrary to popular belief, vibrant red hues can be achieved without harmful chemicals by using natural ingredients like henna and other herbs. While maintaining the health and strength of your hair, you can safely and effectively achieve the desired red tint by knowing the proper methods, combinations, and application techniques.

Madder

Another top contender among natural dyes is madder rhizomes. The everlasting red pigment alizarin, which has long been used to color textiles, is where Rubia tinctorum got its name.

Madder is used to treat urolithiasis because of its strong diuretic and antispasmodic qualities. It is used in cosmetology, removes dandruff and itching, leaves skin feeling clean, and leaves hair looking silky and shiny.

With madder, I was hoping to get the much-desired red at last; there was a lot of dancing around this herb with a tambourine. Madder has true coloring properties, unlike most supplements you’ll find online, but in all my tests and experiments, it turned out to be the biggest letdown.

The roots can be bought at pharmacies or on markets; I have only come across madder powder on Aromazon. The pharmacy also sells tablets containing madder extract, but I don’t think this is a good option for coloring.

Once more, the coffee grinder saved the day. However, the roots proved to be extremely tough, and even after multiple siftings, the powder still had a lot of large inclusions in it.

Experiment 1

My desire was to witness the unadulterated outcome of madder dying. That’s why getting the powder and then the dyeing process bothered me so much.

The initial issues surfaced during the brewing process when the madder particles refused to combine into a single, cohesive mass. There was no mention of viscosity or plasticity as the grains settled to the bottom of the bowl like sand. Wet grains and water should be kept separate.

By the way, the water turned a deep red color very quickly, and the gloves and plumbing still had pinkish stains, which suggested that the experiment would work.

It was really challenging to evenly distribute the mixture over the partings because everything flows and crumbles. As I am used to, I find it very difficult to work with a brush evenly; in the end, I ended up applying the mixture almost in pieces. Everything is the same as it usually is with herbal masks; on top is a plastic bag shaped like a scarf and a cap.

But before long, I had to remove the cap and shield my arm with a towel because it was seeping out from under the bag. I first just wiped the streaks off before covering my head with a towel. However, I went to wash it off after realizing that I couldn’t keep it on for more than 40 minutes.

The worst thing that surprised me the most was that all of this suffering had no impact. Not even a trace of color! However, the towel did not wash off its purple stain for some reason.

Experiment 2

I made the decision to combine the madder with other non-staining herbs to give the mixture more pliability and facilitate application. I was still hopeful that I could use madder to color my hair; perhaps the first time I didn’t hold it long enough!

There were no application issues, and the mixture proved to be plastic. However, the madder particles are still fairly big, so cleaning them out is quite the journey! Even after applying it to my hair for over three hours, I was still unable to color my hair in this manner.

Experiment 3

I started experimenting with adding madder to henna because I couldn’t use madder alone to color my hair. Almost no difference in shade is seen when a spoon or two are added to the mixture. You must blend nearly half and half with henna in order to get results that are somewhat noticeable.

I preferred the option of pouring henna with madder decoction because it is more practical.

Results of dyeing with madder

It took me more than six months to complete all of the madder experiments. Every time I dyed, I added it roughly every two weeks to the roots and once or twice a month to the length.

The ideal shade in my dreams looked like this:

And this is what I found out:

Yes, my light brown hair has a reddish tint due to the combination of madder and henna. The color of hair dyed solely with henna is darker and more chocolate-like in tone. In contrast, this is apparent.

The outcome did not sit well with me.

I reveal the secret of how to get the color of Marsala

I tinted my significantly grown airtouch red, and that’s how I accidentally got this shade. At that particular instance, I applied Tonika’s Bloody Mary henna dye to the full length of my hair, rather than just the lighter sections.

Exercise 4: Madder-dyed eggs:

Bonus. A little more about coloring with herbs in different shades

Chamomile

There are a ton of articles on the Internet that suggest chamomile for lightening hair. Witch investigated and informed us in this post as to whether this is real or a myth.

Although chamomile cannot lighten hair, its golden-yellow pigment settles on the hair’s surface, giving it warm, honey-colored tones.

In order to prevent dark copper hues, or "rusty" colors, it is advised to incorporate chamomile into henna. Theoretically, henna gives lighter, golden hues when combined with chamomile. Rhubarb and linden are also said to possess these same qualities.

For medicinal purposes, I frequently incorporate chamomile into my herbal masks due to its calming, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic qualities. I used both a decoction and a powder made from ground flowers in a coffee grinder. My hair color remained unaffected by the chamomile.

Linden

I used linden flowers, by the way.

Linden promotes hair growth and fortifies hair follicles. removes redness, flaking, dandruff, itching, and other rashes while providing vitamins and minerals to the skin and hair. adds luster and sturdiness and helps to manage hair.

I didn’t notice that Linden changes the color of the herbal mask, but it does give it a very nice, honey scent. The color of the hair does not change when linden is used, either alone or in combination with non-coloring herbs like henna.

Tea, coffee, cocoa

It is advised to purchase a rich chocolate-brown chestnut. A pink hue is promised when cocoa is added to the henna mixture.

• Tea is good for hair – helps in the fight against oily shine, eliminates split ends, nourishes, fills with health, helps get rid of dandruff.
• Coffee has a stimulating effect and accelerates hair growth. Use with caution – can cause headaches and increase blood pressure.
• Cocoa perfectly moisturizes curls, acts against hair loss, enhances growth, saturates with vitamins and microelements. A herbal mask with cocoa is worth repeating at least for the aroma – a crazy delicious smell of chocolate haunts not only during coloring, but also for some time after.

Turmeric

Turmeric can be added to henna to achieve a more golden red or a milk chocolate-like shade. Nonetheless, a number of sources suggest using turmeric to remove unwanted hair as well as to strengthen hair. I was afraid to try turmeric on my own because of this.

It can be used as a coloring agent; when applied to white eggshells, it leaves a sunny yellow hue that is striking and durable. The holding time affects the color saturation.

Ginger, cinnamon and cloves

It is advised to obtain redder hues with cloves and darker shades with cinnamon. When combined with ginger, the color of red is lighter. The smell of the other spices was strong and enticing; cloves smelled like marinade, and ginger gave the scalp a slight tingle.

It comes out to be no, no, and no. Although I didn’t notice any color changes, I did notice less hair loss and more fluff. The stimulating qualities of these spices are well known.

I used each of these spices separately, multiple times, and with the express intent of promoting growth. I truly enjoy the effect of cinnamon, but I’ve gradually switched out the powder for essential oil, which I frequently use in herbal masks.

Cranberry juice, beetroot

The Internet says that henna can be diluted with beetroot juice to achieve a noble burgundy shade; dark curls will take on the color of ripe cherries, and cranberries will give the hair a stunning ruby hue.

This method will never result in a red shade.

• I had only one attempt to add cranberry juice, and I was expecting a negative result. After all, in the summer I regularly did berry peeling, tried to do gelatin lamination of hair and saw that berries do not have any effect on hair color. During the experiment, I used cranberries, lingonberries, red and black currants and even honeysuckle, which leaves red marks on the skin of the hands and does not appear on the hair.
• Beetroot juice makes hair more resistant to aggressive environmental factors, temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation. Affecting the bulb and the hair itself, it strengthens them, gives splendor and silkiness. However, the juice is also easily washed off with water from both hands and hair – I only see the red tint at the moment of application.

Onion peel

It is advised to make an ocher shade with a creamy-golden tone using onion peel decoction. A decoction of onion peels works wonders for treating dermatitis, removing dandruff, and fighting scalp issues. This works well to strengthen hair follicles. Everyone is familiar with the red color of onion peels—it’sthe same color as Easter eggs. Since I didn’t find the suggested shade appealing, I haven’t tried it on myself.

Beautiful red tones can be achieved naturally with herbal hair coloring, but it’s important to distinguish myths from reality. While some people think that using herbal dyes on hair can cause damage or have unpredictable effects, the truth is that they can create bright, durable color when prepared properly and with the right ingredients. To guarantee that you achieve the right shade, select premium, pure herbal powders and familiarize yourself with the procedure.

It’s also important to keep in mind that, depending on things like hair type and condition, each person’s hair will react to herbal coloring differently. By experimenting with small amounts and modifying your mix, you can discover the ideal equilibrium for your distinctive hair type.

In the end, using herbal hair coloring can be a secure and efficient way to bring out the natural beauty of your hair without using harsh chemicals. You can get a gorgeous red tint that is both distinctive and healthful by being aware of the procedure and willing to try new things.

Video on the topic

Dyeing hair bright red. Bright dyeing without bleaching.